What Is Hummus? 8 Reasons to Eat It Every Day!

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a creamy, thick spread made primarily from mashed chickpeas and a few other healthy ingredients that has become popular worldwide over the past couple of decades. It has long been enjoyed in Middle Eastern and North African countries and today in commonly eaten across North America and Europe too.

In fact, hummus is one of the most widely consumed Middle Eastern foods in the United States today; in 2008, over 15 million Americans reported that they eat hummus on a frequent basis! That’s a lot of people getting to experience all of the health benefits of hummus!

If you’re new to hummus and are still wondering, “what is hummus exactly?”, then read on to find out what it’s all about why you should ideally be eating it everyday.

The Rich History of Hummus

Hummus has a rich tradition- some even refer to it as an “ancient” food that has a history of being consumed by important historical figures in the Middle East.

According to ancient scriptures, hummus- at least as we know it today- was first consumed in Egypt around the 13th Century, although the recipe used at this time differed from today’s because it omitted tahini and used other nuts instead.

Today hummus still plays a major part in the diet of many healthy populations living around the world, mainly in the Middle East.

Hummus is commonly consumed with every single meal in Israel, is frequently included in all “mezzeh tables” in Syria and Turkey, is eaten most days for breakfast along with bread in Palestine and Jordan, and is still enjoyed in Egypt and many Arabic nations in a variety of meals too.

Is Hummus Healthy?

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern populations have been consuming good-quality olive oil and tahini for thousands of years. This type of diet that is still eaten in these regions today (which also frequently includes other hummus ingredients like beans, lemon, and garlic) has been shown to be very anti-inflammatory, and we know that inflammation is the root cause of many chronic disease.

Eating a diet similar to these healthy populations can help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels, to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and to lessen the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

So is hummus healthy? If you make homemade hummus with real ingredients or buy a quality store bought hummus then yes!

Flavored types of hummus- for example, popular types like roasted red pepper or Kalamata olive hummus which you may have seen in supermarkets- has additional ingredients that are mixed into the basic hummus recipe described above.

This is good news because it keeps the tastes of hummus interesting and offers a wide variety of options.

Hummus Nutrition Facts

When you look at hummus nutrition facts, you will see that it is loaded with nutrients. A 100 gram serving of hummus contains the following nutrients:

Protein 5g

Fiber 5g

Fat 9g

Carbs 20g

Vitamin C 13% RDA

Vitamin B6 20% RDA

Folate 15% RDA

Iron 10% RDA

Zinc 10% RDA

Phosphorus 11% RDA

Manganese 28% RDA

The whole-food, unprocessed, plant-based ingredients used in hummus make it an excellent choice to include in your meals for these reasons.

What Is Hummus Made Of?

Chickpeas

Like all beans and legumes, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are high in plant-based in protein and fiber. They help to make you feel full, to improve digestion, and aid to heart health too (1, 2).

They are also one of the longest consumed legumes in the world- they have been a part of certain traditional diets for 7,500 years! Additionally, chickpeas are a good source of 3 nutrients that help to reduce common symptoms associated with PMS: magnesium, manganese, and vitamin B6.

Olive Oil

Olive oil used in hummus is very healthy because it is consumed without cooking the oil, and we know from research that olive oil heated repeatedly or to a very high level can oxidize and become hydrogenated.

Traditionally, hummus is often made with good quality extra virgin olive oil, but if you decide to make your own, make sure to avoid fake olive oil, and be careful to purchase extra virgin olive oil that is truly pure and free from fillers.

Garlic

Raw garlic, as it is used in hummus, offers an impressive amount of nutrients including flavonoids, oligosaccharides, selenium, high levels of sulfur, and many more.

Consuming raw garlic frequently has been proven to help reduce risk factors associated with heart disease and various cancers (3, 4). Garlic also acts as an anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral too.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has an alkalizing effect on the body, which combats the high level of acidity that is common in most modern diets. Additionally, lemon juice helps to increase immunity, boost digestion, and to help keep blood sugar levels stable.

Sea Salt

An unprocessed, traditional hummus will likely use a good-quality sea salt to add flavor, as opposed to more processed “table salt” which is iodized. Sea salt, especially Himalayan sea salt, has numerous health benefits: it contains 60 trace minerals.

It also helps to keep your fluid levels balanced and to keep you hydrated, and provides sodium levels that help to balance potassium intake. Himalayan sea salt also contains important electrolytes and enzymes that aid in nutrient absorption.

Tahini

Tahini is made of ground sesame seeds and is thought to be one of the oldest condiments in the world. Sesame seeds offer a wide range of important micronutrients and macronutrients too- everything from trace minerals to healthy fatty acids.

According to recent studies, sesame seeds also have important beneficial properties, including antioxidant Vitamin E, that can help reduce risks associated with insulin resistance, heart disease and cancer (5, 6).

Aside from having a stellar ingredient list, science shows us that when the ingredients in hummus are combined, they offer even more health benefits. This has to do with the way that the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins found in hummus work together to give us even more of a feeling of satiety after eating it. Because of the fats found in hummus, nutrient absorption is also increased if you pair hummus with other nutritious whole-foods, like vegetables.

8 HEALTH BENEFITS OF HUMMUS:

1. Good Source of Plant-Based Protein

What is hummus good for? To start, hummus is an excellent protein source for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores too. Chickpeas, which are the base of nearly all hummus recipes, are high in protein which can help to make you feel full after consuming them. The feeling of satiety therefore makes you less likely to snack (especially on junk food) between meals.

Because hummus is often eaten with pita bread or another type of whole grain, the chickpeas and grains together make up a “complete protein”, meaning they contain all essential amino acids that are necessary for the body to acquire from food and to then use for energy.

Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, is also a great source of important amino acids (specifically one called methionine), which allows tahini to create another complete protein when combined with chickpeas, similarly to chickpeas and grains do.

2. Fights Illness & Disease

Beans, and chickpeas in particular, have been shown to help balance cholesterol levels, reduce hypertension, and to protect against heart disease. (7, 8 )In fact, hummus is commonly eaten in many Mediterranean nations that experience great health, low rates of cardiovascular disease, and longevity- Greece and Turkey being two of these.

This may be due to the high fiber content in chickpeas, which helps people to avoid overeating and gaining harmful excess weight, especially around the organs. Beans also help to keep the arteries clear from plaque build-up, decreasing the chances of cardiac arrest and stroke. In fact studies show that having just one daily serving (about 3/4 cup cooked) of beans of any kind can help to decrease chances of a heart attack and to help balance “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Chickpeas have also been shown to have protective properties against cancer, in particular colon cancer. This is due to chickpeas’ ability to keep the digestive system, including the colon, free from harmful bacteria and toxic build-up, since the beans’ fiber helps to keep waste moving out of the body quickly.

Additionally, a diet rich in all beans has been shown to reduce hyperglycemia and to help balance blood sugar levels. This decreases the chance of developing diabetes or insulin resistance. In fact, populations who traditionally ate beans often, but then switched to diets that contained less beans, suffered from much higher rates of disease. Once reintroducing beans back into the diet, these populations experienced significantly less issues balancing blood sugar.

3. Decreases Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense to move toxins out of the body. However, when your body has a high level of inflammation, it indicates that you body has been trying to overcome food, environmental or medicinal toxins. Foods that help reduce inflammation also help in reducing the chance of arthritis and disease and they help to heal the body.

Hummus has both garlic, olive oil and chick peas which are all known anti-inflammatory foods. In a recent study, extracts from garlic were shown to reduce inflammation and help fight wrinkles and aging. While for centuries garlic has been used to boost the immune system and cure diseases, more studies are being conducted to understand how and what about garlic make it so effective. (9,10)

Olive oil has been found to reduce inflammation in the body and can also help with healthy cholesterol levels. (11)

Chick Peas have been found not only to reduce inflammation but also to reduce blood clots. Research done on two different varieties of chickpeas showed both effective at reducing inflammation markers. (12)

4. Helps Digestion & Intestinal Health

Chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber, which has multiple health benefits: helping to foster a healthy digestive system, making us feel full and satisfied, improving cardiovascular health, and more (8).

5. High in Vitamins and Minerals

It is hard to beat the winning combination of essential micronutrients that the ingredients in hummus has to offer! In addition to protein and fiber, the chickpeas used in hummus are high in iron, folate, phosphorus, and B vitamins (all especially important for vegetarians and vegans who may be lacking in these nutrients).

Lemon juice also contains a high level of immunity boosting vitamin C and antioxidants. Tahini has high levels of copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and calcium too. And of course there is garlic too; garlic contains many trace minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins (manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium to name a few) and has been shown to benefit the heart and to boost immunity too.

6. Bone Health

Sesame seeds, used in making tahini, are an excellent source of various important bone-building minerals including: zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and selenium. Bone loss is often a concern for people as they age, including women who go through menopause and experience hormonal shifts that can result in bone weakening, and even osteoporosis for some.

The trace mineral copper, which tahini is an excellent source of, helps to keep the skeletal structure strong by facilitating the binding of collagen to elastin, which is one important building-block of bones. At the same time, calcium may be able to help lower levels of bone loss, especially as someone ages. Zinc has been shown to be an important factor in bone development and growth and a protector of bone health.

Studies have shown that zinc deficiencies are closely tied to stunted bone growth and that zinc can contribute to bone formation and healthy mineralization in both younger people and older populations that are more at risk (13). 1/4 cup serving of tahini/sesame seeds provides roughly 163% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of copper, 25% of your RDA of zinc, and about 17% of your RDA of calcium.

7. Heart Health

Studies suggest that diets rich in extra virgin olive oil, one of the main ingredients used in hummus, helps to prevent cardiovascular disease in several important ways. Regularly consuming good-quality olive oil has been correlated with improving blood pressure levels, glucose metabolism, and reducing harmful cholesterol. (14, 15)

Both olive oil and sesame seeds have also been shown to help reduce inflammation and to provide important antioxidants, both which play a part in maintaining heart health by keeping the structure of arteries and cell walls healthy. Finally, diets rich in beans have been shown to help protect heart health partially due to their low score on the glycemic index. (16)

8. Boost Your Energy

Chickpeas, like all beans and legumes, contain starch, which is a complex carbohydrate that the body is able to use steadily for energy. Starches contain natural sugars called glucose, which the body uses easily for many essential functions. Unlike simple sugars- found in many products like refined flour, white bread or pasta, soda, candy, and most other processed foods- starches take an extended period of time to break down once consumed.

This means they provide “time released” energy and do not spike your blood sugar in the same way that simple carbohydrates found in processed foods do. The process of digesting and utilizing the glucose found in all beans and starches is drawn-out, keeping blood sugar stable for a while before it beings to drop back down again and you require more food.

Types of Hummus

There are endless ways to use hummus: as a dip along with whole grain sprouted bread or crackers, smeared on a veggie-based sandwich, as a dressing on top of salad or grains, and even as a healthy substitution for other spreads like sugary jelly or butter. Due to all the different types of hummus that is now readily available in almost all grocery stores, finding and using hummus has never been easier.

If you are lucky enough to live by a health food store, definitely check out their hummus selection- chances are they carry hummus varieties that are unlike any you’ve ever seen in larger grocery chains. In health food or vegetarian-based stores, it’s now common to find hummus made from other types of beans (black beans, edamame, or lentils for example) and with ingredient additions and flavors that can spice up any bland meal. Some of my favorite types of hummus include:

cilantro

jalapeno

curry

sweet potato

roasted red pepper

black bean

eggplant (baba ghanoush)

These are just a few of the many unique twists you can create when making homemade hummus.

How to Make Hummus

Although there are many brands of hummus on the market that use minimal ingredients and avoid an excess of added preservatives, it’s always a good idea to make your own homemade version of any food that you frequently eat whenever possible. This ensures you know exactly what is going into your recipe and that you can get the full health benefits of hummus, plus it saves you money too!

Luckily, hummus is super simple to make- all you really need are some very basic ingredients and a food processor or even blender.

Here is a basic hummus recipe to get started, and then look online or in stores to get some inspiration for different ingredients and flavors that you can try adding. I like adding pine nuts or extra garlic and roasted red bell peppers. The best thing is, making your own hummus means you can whip up a big batch all at once to keep on hand in your refrigerator and use throughout the week.

Hummus Recipe

Total Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 8-12

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans garbanzo beans

1/4 cup tahini

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 garlic clove, peeled

1 tsp cumin

Sea salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Drain and rinse garbanzo beans, reserving 1/4 c. liquid.

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend.

Add more water or olive oil until desired consistency is reached.

For best results, drizzle it with olive oil when storing.

It will keep for up to a week and still taste delicious!

Secrets to Making Great Homemade Hummus

Take note from some of the healthiest populations around the world and start incorporating hummus into one of your meals every day. Think outside the box and use hummus for an unexpected addition to many types of meals, just like the populations that have been eating it for hundreds of years do.

Scoop some hummus up with flatbread, serve it as part of a meze plate along with homemade baked falafel, or add it on top of grilled organic chicken or fish. No matter how you like using it best, reap the many health benefits of hummus by eating it often!

For even more information on making your own hummus at home and how you can use it every day in multiple simple recipes, check out my featuring “master hummus maker” Jeff Burns.

So in closing, what is hummus? It’s a creamy delicious dip that is healthy for your whole body that you should incorporate into your diet today.

Dr. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world...Sign up to get VIP access to his eBooks and valuable weekly health tips for FREE!

Thanks for encouraging me to enjoy this wonderful food more often. If you want to save a little money, I recommend buying dried beans and soaking them overnight. They can also be boiled for 2 minutes then allowed to sit for l hour.

Hi Dr. Axe, I have heard that commercial Hummus varieties have GMO. I have started making my own with canned Garbanzo beans, but am wondering if these too contain GMO? and how do i know? Should it say if it is or is not? Thanks in advance :)

I have a peanut allergy and chickpeas are in he same family (legume), yes? Chickpeas bother me a little. It’s not like the reaction I have when I have ingested some peanuts,peanut butter, or oil, but it still affects me enough that I want to stay away from them. Could I use any other bean? Thank you.

I’ve seen a few recipes online that use black sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds are supposed to have some pretty amazing health benefits, try googling it. I’ve read that older Chinese men would eat black sesame seeds everyday to turn grey hair back to its natural color. I think it’s especially good for digestive health too!

It depends on the state of your gut. They can be harder to digest which is why I recommend sprouting everything. But if you have digestive issues, they probably wouldn’t be the best option. However, if you have a healthy digestive system, they have properties that could help decrease inflammation

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.